What Can You Prepare Before Departure to China?(About 3 days in advance)
Before you actually arrive in China, there are a few things that are best prepared in advance. They are not complicated, but they can greatly reduce confusion after landing.
1. Fill in your arrival information in advance
If applicable, foreign travelers can fill in their arrival information before departure through the National Immigration Administration’s Arrival Card Filling system, and save the confirmation page or a screenshot.
“Arrival Card for China”
Please scan the QR code above to submit your information.
OR you can also fill in your information by accessing the following websites:
After filling out the form, please save the QR code receipt of the arrival card for border inspection.
Arrival cards are usually distributed by flight attendants on the plane. If you do not receive one on the plane, there is no need to worry. Paper cards are also usually available at the small counters before border inspection, and travelers can take one freely. The paper card looks like this. Please note that the information on the back of the paper card also needs to be filled in. It is best to keep a pen in your bag in advance, in case no pen is available.
● Accessing through mobile device: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPhone/
● Accessing through PC: https//s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/
2. Install Alipay and WeChat, and prepare backup payment methods
Mobile payment is very important when traveling in China. If you use paper currency in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, especially in places other than supermarkets and convenience stores, you may sometimes face difficulties with small change. Almost all cities in China have mobile network coverage. As long as there is mobile network coverage, Alipay or WeChat Pay can usually be used. For foreign travelers, binding a bank card and completing identity verification, especially with Alipay, can help solve this problem.
● Before departure, it is recommended to download Alipay and WeChat, try to complete account registration, and bind an international bank card. At the same time, prepare a bank card that can be used overseas and a small amount of RMB cash, in case one payment method temporarily fails. The payment guide for overseas visitors published by the Chinese government also explains that foreign users can bind international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard to Alipay and WeChat Pay.
● Alipay download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alipay-simplify-your-life/id333206289
● WeChat download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wechat/id414478124
3. Decide on your mobile internet plan
Before departure, decide whether you will use international roaming, an eSIM, or buy a local SIM card after arriving in China. Please check with or call your mobile operator to ask whether they offer special data packages for overseas travel or for China. This may help you avoid using a VPN.
If you choose an eSIM, make sure in advance that your phone model supports eSIM, and confirm that the plan works in mainland China. If you buy an eSIM/SIM card inside China, you may still need a VPN to access apps such as Google and WhatsApp and make the internet more generally usable.
● Reference website: https://www.trip.com/guide/phone/how-to-get-sim-card-in-china.html
4. Download map and translation tools
It is recommended to prepare a local Chinese map app in advance, such as Baidu Maps, which is only available in Chinese. Google Maps can still be used. Also prepare a translation tool, such as Google Translate, Lingocloud, or another Chinese translation app. This will make it easier to read road names, menus, station names, and hotel addresses.
● Lingocloud App offers real-time camera translation for menus, signs, and tickets, instant voice conversation translation, offline translation support, and smart travel document scanning: https://lingocloud.ai/
5. Save your hotel’s Chinese address
Before departure, save screenshots of your hotel’s Chinese name, Chinese address, and phone number in your photo album. This will make it easier to show the information to taxi drivers, ride-hailing drivers, airport staff, or hotel front desk staff.
6. Prepare your route from the airport to your hotel
Confirm your flight arrival time, airport name, terminal, and the transportation options from the airport to your hotel in advance. If you arrive late at night, be sure to check whether the metro, airport express train, or airport bus is still operating.
● Umetrip（航旅纵横 “Please copy this Chinese name. After installing the app, choose English.”）can be used to check real-time flight arrival time, airport name, and terminal: https://apps.apple.com/app/id480161784
7. Install ride-hailing or booking apps
If you plan to take a ride-hailing car, travel by high-speed rail, or book hotels in advance, it is recommended to install DiDi, Railway 12306, or Trip.com before departure. 12306 is the official English website of China Railway and can be used to search for and buy train tickets. These services can be paid for with Alipay or WeChat Pay.
● China’s official railway and high-speed rail unified ticket booking platform: https://www.12306.cn/en/
● DiDi, China’s local Uber: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/didi-china-ride-hailing/id554499054
● High-speed rail, China flights, hotels, and more through Trip.com: https://www.trip.com/
8. Save important contact information
It is recommended to save your hotel phone number, travel companions’ contact information, travel insurance phone number, and the contact information of your country’s embassy or consulate in China in advance. This information can be very important if you lose your passport, need emergency medical care, or encounter other unexpected situations.
● Consulate: Please refer to the information of the nearest consulate of your country.
App Recommendation Ratings
● Currency and payment:
Alipay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
● Translation tools:
Lingocloud: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
● Flights,Maps and navigation:
Umetrip (航旅纵横):⭐⭐⭐⭐
Google Maps: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
● Ride-hailing and booking:
DiDi: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trip.com: ⭐⭐⭐
PS: The detailed installation and usage steps for Alipay and WeChat……
● Shanghai Government English website’s explanation of Alipay:
https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20240312/f2968c5dcb2d41c895643afa9219ce89.html
● Beijing Government English guide, which introduces both WeChat and Alipay. The video starts from 1 minute and is more suitable for users staying in China for a longer period:
